The bigger the surface area of the cooling element, isn't the faster the ice will melt?

In an open environment , that is true ... but in a closed insulated box the temperature of the air inside will be almost 0 so even a small cooling element surface area will do the job , a large cooling element area is not required.

In an open environment , that is true ... but in a closed insulated box the temperature of the air inside will be almost 0 so even a small cooling element surface area will do the job , a large cooling element area is not required.

So, it doesn't really matter how big or how thick is the cooling elements?

So, it doesn't really matter how big or how thick is the cooling elements?

That's right , it's all about their thermal inertia , how much heat (energy) they absorb for a rise in their temperature , and melting ice is extremely good for this absorbing a lot of heat (energy) for the phase change to water , at 0*C

That's right , it's all about their thermal inertia , how much heat (energy) they absorb for a rise in their temperature , and melting ice is extremely good for this absorbing a lot of heat (energy) for the phase change to water , at 0*C